FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2025
Little Blue NRD Enters Mandatory Groundwater Allocations for Current Crop Year and the next 5 years in Hydrogeologic Unit 1.
DAVENPORT, NE — In accordance with Rule 3.2.1 of the Little Blue Natural Resources District (NRD) Groundwater Rules and Regulations, the Little Blue NRD has officially entered mandatory groundwater allocations which allocations take effect immediately for the current crop year.
Mandatory groundwater allocations apply to high-capacity irrigation, municipal, industrial, recreational, and fish and wildlife groundwater users within the affected areas.
Initial Agricultural Allocation Period and Amounts
Per Rule 3.3.3, the initial allocation period will last five (5) years. During this period, as outlined in Rule 3.3.4.1, each certified irrigated acre will be granted an allocation of sixty-five (65) acre-inches of groundwater.
Municipal Conservation Plans Required
Under Rule 3.4.1, all municipalities located within the designated water quantity hydrologic unit must develop and adopt a Water Conservation Plan within one year of this announcement. These plans must be submitted to the Little Blue NRD for review. Municipalities that also service rural water projects or other small communities must include those areas in their conservation planning.
Note: Municipal groundwater allocations will not begin until after January 1, 2026, as per Nebraska Revised Statute § 46-740.
Non-Agricultural Water Users
Businesses, industries, schools, and other non-agricultural high-capacity users will be allocated water based on their average usage over the past three (3) years, as specified in Rule 3.5.1.
Public Information Meetings
To provide further information and answer questions from stakeholders, the District will hold three public meetings:
- May 28, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
4H Building – Fairgrounds South Room
517 R Street, Fairbury - May 29, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Hastings Museum – Abbott Room
1330 N Burlington Avenue, Hastings - May 30, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Community Building
110 S Linden Avenue, Davenport
Contact Information
For questions, please contact:
Little Blue NRD
Phone: 402-364-2145
Website: www.littlebluenrd.org